Oliver: It’s time to Take a Stand for Turning Point

By JOAN OLIVER

Aug. 9, 2017

H. Rick Bamman

Caption

Joan Oliver

Sometimes it’s hard not to sound like a broken record about the fiscal crisis in the state of Illinois. State lawmakers can’t get their acts together, so nonprofits that rely on state dollars to continue to function are in dire straits.

Organizations such as Turning Point, which for many, many years has been helping those who face domestic violence here in McHenry County. In 2016 alone, the agency helped 1,777 clients. It also provided 4,948 individual nights of emergency shelter to 133 clients.

The need, unfortunately, isn’t going to go away just because Springfield remains in chaos.

That’s where you and I can help. Over the years, those of us who put the word out about helping our area’s social service agencies have found county residents to be among the most generous around. You do yourselves proud, neighbors.

Let’s do our part again this year during the Take a Stand Against Domestic Violence 2017 Radiothon, hosted by Turning Point of McHenry County and radio station Star 105.5.

The station will be taking donations for Turning Point on air from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday. During that time, listeners will hear stories of survival, information about what Turning Point does and how volunteers are making a difference. No doubt we all can learn a thing or two about the scope of the problem and what can be done for those who are abused, as well as how to help abusers to stop the cycle of violence.

Then, on Saturday, a family event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Niko’s Red Mill Tavern, 1040 Lake Ave., Woodstock. There will be raffles, food, more ways to donate and a special performance by Modern Day Romeos.

If you can’t make it or want more information about the event, call Turning Point at 815-338-8081.

• • •

Faucet follies: Bet you didn’t expect to hear about my busted kitchen faucet again. Neither did I. However, after waiting a week to hear from Delta about the part I needed, I had to contact the company again to ask what was going on. Lo and behold, the next thing I know the part was on its way. I received it at the start of Week 2 of our faucet-less adventure.

One problem, however: It didn’t work. Chances are pretty good, it appears, that it wasn’t the part we actually needed. Argh. There must a special section of Murphy’s Law concerning household repairs. Or maybe the problem is me.

So we wound up doing what I’m sure we probably should have done in the first place: bought a new faucet. Now we’re just waiting for our handy friend to install it. Here’s hoping.

• • •

Not alone: A very big thank you to all the caregivers, relatives and friends of those with dementia who have been sending me notes the past few months that I have been writing about my mother and husband. Your lovely words and thoughts are greatly appreciated.

I’ll continue to write about my family’s journey because I think it’s valuable to help people understand the nature of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. So if you have something you’d particularly like people to know that I haven’t mentioned yet, drop me a line and I’ll see what we can do.

You’re not alone. And neither am I.

• Joan Oliver is the former Northwest Herald assistant news editor. She has been associated with the Northwest Herald since 1990. She can be reached at jolivercolumn@gmail.com.